| Mission Statement |
| Brochure |
Many of our newest angels included a note with their subscription
request indicating that they want to adopt a soldier, or want to get their
school involved in a drive to collect for the troops. Since we want our
angels to effectively help without 'burning out', we suggest that as a
new member, you spend some time reading through the website, and
reviewing your role .... Don't bite off more than you will be comfortable
with in the beginning ... Yes, many of our angels adopt 10, 20 or more
soldiers, however even more of our angels adopt 1, 2 or 3. Additionally,
while some members start their own drives for getting together
packages or raising money toward helping get a Conversion Van for a
Wounded Warrior, many more utilize their existing community
organizations, schools or social organizations to achieve such goals.
The OSOT Name and How To Use It
All projects flying under the "Operation Support Our Troops, Inc."
flag (meaning doing it as part of this organization) must be called just
that: Operation Support Our Troops, Inc.
It is all encompassing .... it includes Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines,
active duty, reserve and guard units.
It is US.
We need to remain consistent ... and we are very vigilant that our
members do not stray and call themselves "a part of .....". We are all
part of the whole: Operation Support Our Troops.
It's clear, it's concise, it's catching .... and it is already our banner under
which we fly. We've had "Support Our Troops" days throughout the
nation ~ no need to come up with any other name for the event.
Angel Reporting System
As you all know, this organization began as a grass roots effort.
Through your energy and generosity, it has grown, like topsy … and last
year, we filed for 501(c)(3) status. However, with growth and
particularly with our
nonprofit organizational status, we must keep additional records
…Which is where you, our dear angels, come in. Okay ... now here's the
new part. Starting with our new fiscal year, we have "accountability
requirements" for all members. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization, we must account for volunteer time and for goods and
services donated. We have established an "Angel Reporting System"
which each member MUST fill out with each shipment.
Simply go to the new site https://secure.west-point.org/osot/ and fill in
all the information ..... Please note that while the "system" will let you
submit without filling in every line, I will then have to write back and
ask for the information .... so in all honesty, ALL "fields" are required.
Do the best you can to fill in the information accurately.
We are starting this tracking as of January 1, 2005 - not for shipments
made earlier. You don't need to email or snail mail this form anywhere
... A quick click on the "save" button, and all the information is stored
properly. IF you have folks making neck coolers, hats, etc. for you - you
should absolutely include the volunteer hours involved in making those
things. These are administrative "accounting" requirements. You aren't
sending me any paperwork - you should be keeping your own receipts
for your own tax purposes. Those angels who have "accounts" set up
with our treasurer will continue to work with her as before. However,
you must also fill out this new shipment data form.
Forms Completion Tips:
* First Name
* Last Name
* State
* Number of Packages Shipped
* Total Cost of Shipping
* ESTIMATED value of box contents
* Volunteer hours (including your own) As in -in getting this shipment
out the door, which would include any time spent talking with civic
groups that lead up to donations included in this shipment, etc.
If you plan on taking your shipments as tax donations (and unless the
shipments are going to a family member, you certainly can claim them
as charitable donations on your tax returns) - you should be keeping
copies of your receipts for your tax preparer. Using this form will
actually help you organize for the tax man when he cometh :-), and you
will have everything organized by each time you sent package ... Many
of us have not saved grocery receipts, etc .... Have just made the
purchases and shipped them off. I think that if we were to keep those
receipts (mark the "stuff" for OSOT or pay for it separately) you'd be
amazed at your own generosity.
| Guidelines for Getting Started |
School &
Community Support
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Community Support
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